constructivism!!!

some definitions of constructivism:

• The constructivistic approach to teaching and learning is based on a combination of a subset of research within cognitive psychology and a subset of research within social psychology,http://chiron.valdosta.edu/whuitt/col/cogsys/construct.html


• Constructivism is an approach to teaching based on research about how people learn. Many researchers say that each individual constructs knowledge rather than receiving it from others.


• http://www.ascd.org/portal/site/ascd/menuitem.d36b986168f3f8cddeb3ffdb62108a0c/;jsessionid=D1G9DbBQp88y4L68DUtdLOt6fY6of7KDGSzrznqIxWO27EEungvz!258856059


• constructive teaching is based on the belief that students learn best when they gain knowledge through exploration and active learning.


• Education is centered on themes and concepts and the connections between them, rather than isolated information.


• Constructivism is a theory of learning based on the idea that knowledge is constructed by the knower based on mental activity. Learners are considered to be active organisms seeking meaning. Constructions of meaning may initially bear little relationship to reality (as in the naive theories of children), but will become increasing more complex, differentiated and realistic as time goes on. http://www.usask.ca/education/coursework/802papers/Skaalid/definition.html

There are several guiding principles of constructivism:

• Learning is a search for meaning. Therefore, learning must start with the issues around which students are actively trying to construct meaning.
  


• Meaning requires understanding wholes as well as parts. And parts must be understood in the context of wholes. Therefore, the learning process focuses on primary concepts, not isolated facts.
  


• In order to teach well, we must understand the mental models that students use to perceive the world and the assumptions they make to support those models.
  


• The purpose of learning is for an individual to construct his or her own meaning, not just memorize the "right" answers and regurgitate someone else's meaning.


• Since education is inherently interdisciplinary, the only valuable way to measure learning is to make the assessment part of the learning process, ensuring it provides students with information on the quality of their learning.

http://www.funderstanding.com/constructivism.cfm